<p>I went to the admitted students day at William & Mary this weekend, and I really enjoyed it and I'm seriously considering attending. However, I'm a bit perturbed about the social life due to hearing that fraternities and sororities control the campus' social scene, and if you're not a member of a frat or a varsity sport, it's difficult to have a social life. Is this true?</p>
<p>Glad you enjoyed Day for Admitted Students! Keep in mind that only 1/3 of W&M students join Greek life and there are over 400 student organizations on campus running all different kinds of social events and outings. Greek life certainly contributes to W&M but is very open (many Greek events are open to non-Greeks) and many other organizations contirube to the vibrancy of social life on campus.</p>
<p>interesting… in my view, I don’t think the greek scene is that big at all. I think like 30% of students are greek, and most of the frat parties (obviously not date nights and formals) are open to the entire campus.</p>
<p>Also, student organizations host their own parties. The Delis are popular with the 21+ crowd. Obviously if by “social scene” you did not mean “parties” then there are lots of other avenues of enjoyment as well.</p>
<p>One of the things I liked about W&M was that the people that were greek didn’t just hole themselves away with their greek organization. As a result, I had friends the majority of the greek organizations, just from meeting people in other activities happened to also be greek.</p>
<p>I am a current freshman who rushed a fraternity this semester. I also came here very skeptical of Greek life and more than a bit intimidated by it. What I have found is that everyone at this school is very open and welcoming and so while I feel that Greek life is definitely the most visible aspect of our social life, it is neither required to have a good time nor exclusive to just Greeks. I promised myself that I would not join a fraternity if I felt any little bit uncomfortable or intimidated by the brothers, if I felt the slightest possibility of bring hazed, or if I thought it would prevent me from having friends outside of that circle. I am very serious about those parameters, but a lot of my hallmate friends joined this fraternity last semester and as I started hanging out there more often, I found that it fit my requirements and would be a large entryway into a whole new social circle here: other Greeks.</p>
<p>I don’t really buy into the idea that fraternities or sororities are hallowed elite, exclusive clubs inherently carrying carefully shaped character and well-roundedness to be bestowed upon each member, and I scoff whenever I hear mentions of secretive rituals, mandatory traditional events, etc. – you know, the type of fraternity life you see in movies. The good thing for me is that that kind of thing is waaaay scaled down here compared to even UVA, and no one takes offense to my opinion. To me, the fraternity is just a very solid group of friends whom I enjoy living with and hanging out with, and a gateway to meeting tons of new people. It’s really what you make it, and that is a great thing.</p>
<p>Although it is true that Greeks tend to socialize with other Greeks quite often, fraternities and sororities are not at all the most exclusive student group here. You mentioned varsity sports as driving social life – varsity athletes are probably the most holed off group we have. I never see them out on weekends because they seem to only hang out with themselves. For the rest of us, I think as long as you have some sort of base – that can be a Greek organization or any type of group (e.g. music, club sports, programming boards, theater, etc.), or even multiple. I think it’s important to have a core group so you will always have their events to fall back on, but outside of that you will have friends in all walks of student groups and most of the time you will be able to go to their functions – and yes, this includes Greeks – or you can just hang out in a dorm or house with friends.</p>
<p>I will stop here as not to ramble too long, but I have a lot to say about this topic since I had many of the same concerns as you when I decided to come here. I won’t say you should definitely join a Greek organization because that’s up for you to evaluate (and if you’re a girl the rush process is completely different), but I will just say you should join <em>something,</em> and whatever you get involved with you will be able to make of it what you wish and you will definitely not be shut off from other aspects of social life. And regardless, the only way that it might be “difficult to have a social life” is if you make no attempt to have one.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision. I hope you come here; this is really a wonderful school.</p>
<p>Okay, what I will say about the social life is that it is what you make it. </p>
<p>If you want to go out and party every weekend you can. Yes the greeks have an easier time of it (especially the boys), but the greeks here are not stereotypical or exclusive in any way. But if you want to party a lot of clubs hold things like that. The frat parties, the dance parties, are fun but they’re open to the whole campus. So no, you don’t have to be greek. Though I highly recommend going greek, it’s an excellent experience to have. </p>
<p>At the same time, there is no stigma against staying in on a saturday and studying/hanging out with friends. You can do both things. Nobody really cares too much about how you’re spending your time. </p>
<p>You’ll be fine with or without greek life.</p>